Please allow me to stray from my environmental-themed posts for just a moment. During the holiday season, I know that many families want to teach their children about the spirit of giving instead of the instant gratification of receiving. Every year around this time, I pick several charities and nonprofit organizations to donate to. One of the organizations that I’m very passionate about is Attachment Parenting International (API) and so I’d like to tell you a bit more about API and why I love it so much.
I first became involved with API in 2004 when I created a local support group with two other moms. Since that time I have led a local parenting support group, provided information to parents of special needs children, and launched the API Forums. Now I serve as the organization’s Technology Coordinator as well as manage their blog, API Speaks.
API operates on the principles of parenting, which include parenting concepts like positive discipline, providing consistent and loving care, and maintaining balance in your personal and family life. As my children’s special needs emerged, I was thankful that I was “practicing” attachment parenting – it made my life so much easier during what was a trying time. I use the term practicing, loosely, because to me attachment parenting is just instinctual parenting.
As is the case with many nonprofit organizations, API relies on donations from the public to operate. If you are looking to donate to a 501c3 organization this year, I’d like to implore you to learn more about Attachment Parenting International and support their mission:
Our mission is to educate and support all parents in raising secure, joyful, and empathic children in order to strengthen families and create a more compassionate world.
I understand that the financial crisis has hit many families and so funds aren’t readily available but if you have time, consider donating your time to API by volunteering with the organization. A partial list of positions is available via the Attachment Parenting International Volunteer database. If you’d like more information, you can submit a request via the database or please feel free to contact me or leave a comment on this post and I will put you in touch with the right person.
In closing, I’d like to thank all of you for joining me in my “going green” journey. I wish you all a happy and health holiday season.
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Melissa, thanks for sharing about what API does. I’m making up my end-of-year giving list and I’ll consider them for it. What could be more important than their mission?
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